Bellarive Heartbeat CD Review

HeartBeat

 

     Six passionate worship leaders from Orlando Florida joined together awhile back to awaken the spiritual Heartbeat of believers. Bellarive met each other in 2009 and began leading worship in churches. However, they soon realized that was not the only mission God had purposed them together for. Upon the recognition of the call to worship, band members Sean Curran (lead vocals, Melissa Mage (vocals), Mike Mage (Programming, vocals, guitar), Zach Glotfelty (lead guitar), Josh Luker (bass, percussion) and Kenny Werner (drums)  created an EP titled "The Being Human Project, Start Listening". Sparrow Records was right on their heals after the EP released and signed with them for their debut album Heartbeat available June 19, 2012.

     The first radio release Taste of Eternity in my opinion is the essence of the cup that you drink with this album. As lead singer Sean Curran stated in a recent video release,

"All that He is, the context of Eternity. It is what we were all designed to do, to worship Him. If we will allow ourselves to go there, worship can take us to an Eternal place where it’s not about singing with our lips or our lungs, but where we enter in singing with our soul."

     That definitely describes the character demonstrated on their debut. With different musicians and singers you can pick up similarities of influences throughout the delivery of artistic worshipful pieces. Notably so is the musicianship of Anathallo, which the band has stated is a huge influence for them. Vocally you can definitely hear the style of David Crowder echoing through the elements.

     On the title track there is a semblance to what you might hear from the great Michael W Smith. They sing about the importance of staying in the presence of God. Musically this is one that could easily be used for corporate worship.

     It is very easy to sing along to and there is a moment that builds to focused encouragement, followed by what I call a faith filled showdown. "Stand tall for we are daughters we are sons, step straight into this love, we bear the mark of our creator."

     There is a relationship portrayal in Love Has Found Us, which depicts the simplicity and yet overwhelming joy that comes from knowing God as Lord of all.

Hope Is Calling, follows next continuing to deliver radio friendly messages. After listening to the album I was surprised they did not choose one of these two songs to use as their first release. Needless to say, this radio worthy album is not going to have a short life on the charts.

     Measures of Rest , is a reminder of the peace and restoration that God offers us as we seek that place with Him. Finding all that we need in Him, arriving at a place where our focus is totally on His love. The resonating praise and vocal harmonies toward the end of this piece is refreshing and inviting.

     Speaking of vocals, you will not be hearing any of them in Sing, which seems a bit ironic. However, many people who know true worship understand the depths of instrumental praise. Proved by many, the intensity of prophetic worship through instrumentation takes you somewhat deeper personally during corporate or private worship, because it’s not about what’s being sung, it’s about allowing God to pull your heart strings closer to Him.

     Musically speaking, I feel The Father’s Heart is a standout piece on the album. I feel the vocals are better on a lot of their other songs, but the melody is one of the catchier on the album. It could also be one that sets them apart as well, a band identifier so to speak.      The message is also moving, searching for the heartbeat of our Father."Father hold me, heaven come fill this place, open the flood gates, I’m reaching for the rhythm of my Fathers heart."  This song will definitely be more radio active than others and probably quite a bit more popular to the general Christian music population.

     Everyone always is watching and waiting for a move of God, waiting to see something happen. Here We Are, captures the essence that God needs us to move. It is a call to be free to walk in His love that He provides for us."Here’s my heart for the taking, God keep it. Face down at your feet, I’m not leaving. For you are where I want to be." I am a sucker for guitars so I must say I have a biased opinion of this song and it is one of my favorites by far.

     One of the highlights is hearing more vocals from the only female member Melissa Mage. A beautiful eclectic contribution that I am certain her fellow band members are glad to have with them. One that I would say is seasoned with just the right amount of the likeness of Adele with a sprinkle of the great Adrienne Camp (previous lead for Benjamin Gate). In Tendons (The Release) Melissa comes through more vocally leading up to one of the best moments on the album, the spoken poem from Sean (I think) of a broken heart before the Lord. This is undeniably a stand out number.

     The harmony shared in Shine On, is pleasantly on point and reminds us that in Him we can shine with our hearts toward Him. No matter what obstacles we face we have His Glory in us to carry to others. "Wake up oh sleeper, the glory came through, the Glory shines through and we’re wide awake now."

     I would like to personally thank the band for allowing Melissa to lead I Know You. I love hearing songs from the perspective from God toward us and this song is brilliantly written and expressed. Musically and vocally a masterpiece created representing the love that the master carries for us. If able I would give a standing ovation to the band and the composer of this piece.



     The last track on the album, Stories is another beautiful closing sentiment, touching on the stories we have heard about Jesus. Vocally this is the most beautiful song on Heartbeat. The delivery and the message exceptionally exceed what you expect. "Holy Spirit come, descend on your people. Your fires’ in our hearts it’s all we’ll ever need. For we know, we know that you’re alive. So come and speak here. Our ears are open now."

Bellarive, which means Beautiful River, chose the perfect name when they were coming to a decision. This album delivers living water right into your spirit and will touch you on many levels. If you allow yourself to dive into these waters you will bask in the spirit of worship. Hoping their music pulls the listener closer to the heartbeat of God this album flows straight to the foot of the cross and beckons His presence.

What Britt Nicole Delivers Is Golden

     Internationally known to top the charts in the UK and throughout the US, Britt Nicole is no stranger to the music industry. Her sophomore release, The Lost Get Found debuted at number one on the Christian Album Billboard Charts and produced three top ten singles.

    On March 26, 2012 she will be releasing her third album, Gold.  It is ironic to me that God’s perfect number is three and this album introduces itself as her best production to date.

     Britt was born in North Carolina on August 2, 1985. Three short years later she began to utilize her vocal gift from Godin her home church. She continued to blossom, singing on her local church television program and gracing the prestigious Carnegie Hall stage with her High School’s advanced choir. In 2011 she carried a nomination for “Female Vocalists of Year” through the Dove Award Association.

     With two chart-topping albums in her pocket Nicole has accumulated a large fan base. I have a feeling on March 26, that number is going to increase. The vocals on Gold could be compared to secular artists like Adele and Katy Perry. Lyrically speaking it’s more of a combination between Dara Maclean and Royal Tailor. With intricate beats that will get you on your feet and lyrically and vocally matured vibe this is definitely not a par for the course addition to her discography.

     All This Time, which was the first release has been steadily remaining on the Billboard Charts. Any one who has truly been transformed by the love of God, could very well be wiping a tear away as this song reminds you how great He has truly been. Lyrically expressing, “I hear these people asking me, how do I know what I believe? Well, I am not the same me, and that’s all the proof I need. I felt love, I felt your grace, you stole my heart that day.” Sometimes we take for granted how far He has brought us from where we used to be and this song is a heartfelt reminder.

     If you are like me, you usually have one or two favorites off of each album you buy. However, on this album it’s extremely difficult to narrow that down. As I was in my car listening to the title track, Gold (video below) I did have a moment. I felt like teenager who should have been wearing a big pair of white shades like the Go-Go Girls used to wear, cruising around jamming out with the windows down. I wasn’t too concerned that I probably looked ridiculous to others, considering I am almost forty.

     The mere fact was that I was enjoying it immensely. There is a brief segment toward the end where it appears one of the Spice Girls took over her microphone. As she breaks out, “So don’t let anybody tell you that your not above, and don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not enough, yeah there are days that we are feeling like we’re messed up but the truth is that we’re all diamonds in the rough”. It’s easy to hear why she has gained a good-sized fan base in the UK area.

     Look Like Love is very lyrically powerful. Reminiscent of the popular release from Revive , titled blink. Britt shares the importance of taking time to share with others the love of Christ. Instead of a ballad as produced by Revive, she delivers a provoking feel good message to utilize your joy and happiness to lead others to the saving knowledge of the cross. The design of this type of song is to awaken you spiritually to be about your Father’s business. Doing the work of the ministry and at the same time drawing your attention to spending time with family and friends. These things are pertinent to us during this day and age.

     We all struggle and sometimes get discouraged, whether we have others supporting us or not. When the walls around us begin to crumble, we have to bury ourselves in faith. Who You Say You Are, is a fantastic composition and the message is encouraging to each and every single person who has trusted God to live for Him. "I’ll still be smiling when the sky is dark, cause I believe that you are who you say you are."

     Another addictive number Ready or Not has the same effect on me as Gold. It tends to be pushed up on volume control as I drive down the road with the breeze blowing through my hair. Vocally speaking I feel this song really puts Britt’s voice in a pocket where she truly sounds the most unique. I am uncertain who performs the rap section, but it slides right in there and just adds to the pure impeccable production of this piece.

     Breakthrough is a victory driven melody that expresses someone putting their foot down in personal areas of their life. A destiny waiting where one is meant to be free and they are tired of the devil trying to bring them down. “You can’t make me fear. I’ve cried too many tears. Yeah I’ve had enough now I am gonna call your bluff.” The song does engage you in an electronic mix appearing to be the transitional moment for the breakthrough.

     Stand is an encouraging tune about whatever one is facing, as long as we stand in faith knowing He is with us we will be fine. The Sun Is Rising, is one of the softer additions and really anchors on the essentiality of keeping your eyes on Christ.

    Another electronic vibe awaits you in Amazing Life. This song returns a few tracks later with a remix version that adds more spice to the already spiritual adrenaline driven track.

     Still That Girl and Seeing For The First Time are both beautiful additions to this album and a great way to draw it to a close. You will find great similarity to the passionate moments that Kari Jobe shares on her up-tempo ballads. I think these two songs will get the most airplay if they are released as singles. Seeing For The First Time, is undeniably one of the best songs vocally on the entire album. You can also feel her expression of heartfelt adoration come through and it's crisp and soft and simply spotless.

     There is a bonus track on the album titled Straight For Your Heart, which is a message from the throne of God to each and every one of us. “Your heart beats, but it is just keeping time. You’re living but you don’t feel alive. The world outside is turning, while yours is lying still, in a cycle spinning spiral holding you until. Right here, right now I am coming straight for your heart.”

     I am about two listens away to the bonus track achieving number one status in my book. That being said, the entire album is simply great. Immanently the best album created by the lovely young Britt who truly just wants to express her love for God to others in a fun moving way. If you know young people who like the sound of Kate Perry, Lily Allen, or Kate Nash and you would like to influence them with a message of hope and faith that they can relate to musically buy them this CD. I believe you could change their lives with that simple gesture. If you personally enjoy Group 1 Crew, Royal Tailor, Dara Maclean or Kari Jobe, or if you are a CCM fan at all, on the 26th do yourself a favor and invite her sounds of music into your heart.

     Bottom line, ready or not she is coming, she is golden and she is knocking it out of the box!

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